Review: Real Racing 3 for iOS needs to fix its payment model before it can shine
Game publishers always have to think about how to turn a profit on their mobile apps while trying to produce the best, most enjoyable experience for the player. With Real Racing 3 for iOS, Electronic Arts once again proves which is the company’s more important priority.
First and foremost, I’m here to comment on gameplay. I generally try to avoid commenting on the controversy surrounding high profile games when I review them, especially when it comes to digital rights management, pricing, and transaction methodology. Unfortunately, Real Racing 3’s micro-transaction system is so intrusive and momentum killing that a review of Real Racing 3 wouldn’t be complete without some kind of comment about the game’s “freemium” pricing model—meaning that the game is free to download, but runs on in-app purchases made while you play.
People will argue that games like Farmville set this pay model in motion years ago, and that it was only a matter of time before micro-transactions were applied to conventional “core” titles like Real Racing. But even Farmville’s experience wasn’t stopped completely when a player ran out of energy; with Real Racing, a veritable spike strip is thrown at gameplay momentum by the game’s payment system.
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